Ryan Reynolds expands his soccer empire!
The Deadpool and Wolverine star and his Wrexham AFC co-owner, Rob McElhennywere named on Thursday, January 16, among a group of investors to take over top Colombian team Club Deportivo La Equidad Seguros.
According to Bloomberg and ESPNthe investor group is led by a real estate investor Al Tailis and football executive Sam Porterwho both own a stake in Mexican soccer team Necaxa. Other investors include the actress Eva Longoriasupermodel Kate Upton and Upton’s husband, an MLB pitcher Justin Verlander.
“We welcome Al Tailis and Sam Porter who arrive with a clear, long-term vision to continue to strengthen our club,” La Equidad said in a statement via X on Thursday. “This is the first step to a future full of possibilities.”
“Al Tailis and Sam Porter not only have extensive experience in the world of sports, but they also have the support of celebrities such as Eva Longoria, Rob McElhenney, Ryan Reynolds, Justin Verlander, Kate Upton, Sean Marion and Scott Galovay,” the statement continued.
Reynolds, 48, and McElhenny, 47, took ownership of Welsh team Wrexham in 2021, helping the club achieve global exposure thanks in part to their FX docuseries, Welcome to Wrexham. Tylis bought a small stake in Wrexham in April 2024, while Reynolds and McElhenney invested in NecaxaBloomberg reported.
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.
Courtesy of Sony Pictures Ent.News of Reynolds’ latest investment has come the same day he was charged in a $400 million lawsuit filed by Justin Baldonihis wife Blake Livelyis It ends with us actor and director.
According to submission received from Us Weekly on ThursdayBaldoni, 40, accuses Lively, 37, Reynolds and Lively’s publicist, Leslie Sloanfor civil extortion, defamation, invasion of privacy and other claims. In the lawsuit, Baldoni claims he was pressured by Reynolds and “megacelebrity friend” of Lively to accept the actress’ changes to the film’s script.
UPDATE 01/16/25 at 12:43 PM ET: Justin Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios filed a $400 million lawsuit against It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively and her publicist Leslie Sloan on Thursday, January 16. In the 179-page document obtained by Us Weekly, Baldoni claims that Lively was “determined” to make him a “real-life villain in her story.” (…)
Baldoni’s lawyer, Brian Friedmanshares in a statement to us“This lawsuit is a legal action based on an overwhelming amount of unspoiled evidence detailing a dual attempt by Blake Lively and her team to destroy Justin Baldoni, his team and their respective companies by spreading grossly redacted, unsubstantiated, new and fabricated information in the media. “
The statement continued: “It is clear based on our own complete willingness to provide all of the full text messages, emails, video and other documentary evidence that was shared between the parties in real time that this is a battle that she will not win and certainly I will be sorry. Blake Lively was either seriously misled by her team or deliberately and knowingly twisted the truth.”
Justin Baldoni’s legal battle with “It Ends With Us” co-star Blake Lively continues with a brand new explosive lawsuit. According to documents obtained by Us Weekly on Thursday, Jan. 16, Baldoni, 40, is accusing Lively, 37, her publicist Leslie Sloane and Ryan Reynolds of civil extortion, defamation, invasion of privacy and other claims. (…)
The case follows one filed by Lively v. Baldoni on December 31, 2024, accusing him of sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy and lost wages.
us reached out to a representative for Lively, Sloan’s co-defendant, for comment Thursday, but did not hear back.
